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The Haven Horror
Buried deep are the secrets we keep.
It’s 1993. The small, God-fearing town of Haven, Texas, with its quiet streets and friendly neighbors, is a wholesome place to raise a family. But when a teenager vanishes without a trace, the townsfolk begin to question if someone sinister lives among them.
Thirty years later, Jeremiah Johnson, his wife Molly, and their disabled daughter Glory, move to Haven, looking for a fresh start. The family is welcomed into this idyllic community with open arms. But something’s not right. The people are too nice. Everything seems too perfect. There’s a darkness hidden in the heart of Haven, and Jeremiah soon discovers why all are welcome and no one leaves…
It’s 1993. The small, God-fearing town of Haven, Texas, with its quiet streets and friendly neighbors, is a wholesome place to raise a family. But when a teenager vanishes without a trace, the townsfolk begin to question if someone sinister lives among them.
Thirty years later, Jeremiah Johnson, his wife Molly, and their disabled daughter Glory, move to Haven, looking for a fresh start. The family is welcomed into this idyllic community with open arms. But something’s not right. The people are too nice. Everything seems too perfect. There’s a darkness hidden in the heart of Haven, and Jeremiah soon discovers why all are welcome and no one leaves…
327 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 1, 2025
The Haven Horror is another tale of what I like to call "the real horror is the real estate market". We spend the bulk of the novel with a couple moving in with the husband's parents and realising not so slowly that there is something very wrong with the idyllic little community. There's a dual timeline type of deal which I'm normally not a fan of but here it was done quite well. There was enough of a tone shift and of references to the decade things took place in that it never got confusing, and it also never felt bloated even when some scenes were not strictly necessary for the story to move along (they were necessary for emotional impact if not for the plot).
It's a novel that doesn't linger and doesn't hesitate to punch you in the guts, everything about it feels very intentional. Some parts are a little trippy, some parts invite you to consider if you are really as noble as you think you are and yet others seem entirely created to make you just that little bit uncomfortable. Sounds like a lot, because it is, especially when you consider that this book is under 350 pages long. I read it in one sitting and I did not see time fly.
If you have a soft spot for dogs approach with caution.
4.5 rounded up.
Many thanks to the author for providing me a digital copy for this book for review consideration.
It's a novel that doesn't linger and doesn't hesitate to punch you in the guts, everything about it feels very intentional. Some parts are a little trippy, some parts invite you to consider if you are really as noble as you think you are and yet others seem entirely created to make you just that little bit uncomfortable. Sounds like a lot, because it is, especially when you consider that this book is under 350 pages long. I read it in one sitting and I did not see time fly.
If you have a soft spot for dogs approach with caution.
4.5 rounded up.
Many thanks to the author for providing me a digital copy for this book for review consideration.
October 18, 2025
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC from the wonderful Hokunani Sorci for her new book that will be coming soon - The Haven Horror.
I've read My Dreadful Dreams: 13 Tales Of Terror by this author and it is 100% one of the best short story collections I have ever read... so I was very excited to read this one, too!
I went into this book completely blind, which made my reading experience that much more exciting.
What it's about:
(1993) The Haven Horror is set in a small town with a tight-knit community. Everyone knows everyone and all seems well.. until a teenager goes missing. It causes neughbours and friends to suspect one another and question if something more menacing is happening in Haven.
It then jumps to 2023. This is where we are introduced to more main characters. Jeremiah, Molly and their disabled daughter, Glory.
They arrive in Haven and are pleased to have moved somewhere so warm and welcoming... but will they find out that there may be something more sinister going on in this town?
.
.
My thoughts:
I absolutely LOVED reading this book.
The prologue already had my jaw on the floor and it really set the tone of the book - brutal and unsettling. I knew I was in for a good read.
The character development was great and even though it was flitting between different timelines, it was easy to know who was who and to keep up with it.
The Haven Horror is a horror/thriller with a religious/cult theme. It is incredibly creepy and unsettling and just when you think it can't get any better, it includes a fair amount of gore and ties together for a perfect ending!
I've read My Dreadful Dreams: 13 Tales Of Terror by this author and it is 100% one of the best short story collections I have ever read... so I was very excited to read this one, too!
I went into this book completely blind, which made my reading experience that much more exciting.
What it's about:
(1993) The Haven Horror is set in a small town with a tight-knit community. Everyone knows everyone and all seems well.. until a teenager goes missing. It causes neughbours and friends to suspect one another and question if something more menacing is happening in Haven.
It then jumps to 2023. This is where we are introduced to more main characters. Jeremiah, Molly and their disabled daughter, Glory.
They arrive in Haven and are pleased to have moved somewhere so warm and welcoming... but will they find out that there may be something more sinister going on in this town?
.
.
My thoughts:
I absolutely LOVED reading this book.
The prologue already had my jaw on the floor and it really set the tone of the book - brutal and unsettling. I knew I was in for a good read.
The character development was great and even though it was flitting between different timelines, it was easy to know who was who and to keep up with it.
The Haven Horror is a horror/thriller with a religious/cult theme. It is incredibly creepy and unsettling and just when you think it can't get any better, it includes a fair amount of gore and ties together for a perfect ending!
November 4, 2025
Sorci's debut novel is a spectacular blend of cult and folk horror, with strong religious overtones and an undercurrent of blind faith laced with looming menace. The story is a triumph of psychological manipulation and emotional blackmail, especially when all the pieces fall into place, and you can finally stop missing the forest for the trees! Small town horror has found a new home in this supernatural tale of good intentions and evil outcomes.
The narrative develops along two different timelines unfolding in parallel: one in 1993, another in 2003, both taking place in Haven, Texas. (A intense opening scene in 1893 is also included). This town is famous for the kindness of its residents, their benevolent attitude towards the poor and the destitute. In 1993, a little girl loses her dog while her parents keep fighting, as the father - to the dismay of the mother - has joined the Lifers, the town's religious group. In 2023, a family of three is moving to the town, staying with the dad's parents, who seem to have found there a life of happiness and prosperity. Back in 1993, the Lifer pastor's teenage son is ready to consummate his love with the girl of his dreams, unsuspecting of the really ugly turn of events waiting for him that same night. In 2023, the dad slowly discovers how the town works: a kind machine of faith and sacrifice grown around the giant oak tree in the cemetery. The two stories start converging when familiar faces crop up in both, and connections are drawn with a heavy hand, purposely hiding significant details to be revealed later, at the right time. When the truth is finally uncovered, it's too late by far for everyone; and a glorious ending follows.
The writing felt a bit too cheerful at times, though the frequent focus on happy children and confident teenage kids somewhat justifies it. There’s an abundance of references to death, of both animals and humans, though the really graphic scenes are reserved for the ending. Very little is shown on the page until then. However, I felt that the pacing was often inconsistent, certain scenes carrying too much dialogue or introspective thinking, others lacking it but still in need of it in order to clear up motivations and abrupt changes in character (especially the pastors'). Sometimes this cknfused me, though In hindsight, perhaps, it's not hard to understand why some confusion persists throughout both timelines: a very large cast is included, almost all of the characters living a double life of sorts! Thankfully, it all makes sense in the end.
I highly recommend the book, first for the moral dilemmas it sets to the main character and the reader, dilemmas which are grounded on plain human desires and familiar psychological tangles about happiness, belonging and emotional security; second, for the subtle handling of the supernatural horror elements, which are handled with great skill, and won't disappoint even the harshest critic; and of course ... for the book's memorable ending! Still thinking about it.
The narrative develops along two different timelines unfolding in parallel: one in 1993, another in 2003, both taking place in Haven, Texas. (A intense opening scene in 1893 is also included). This town is famous for the kindness of its residents, their benevolent attitude towards the poor and the destitute. In 1993, a little girl loses her dog while her parents keep fighting, as the father - to the dismay of the mother - has joined the Lifers, the town's religious group. In 2023, a family of three is moving to the town, staying with the dad's parents, who seem to have found there a life of happiness and prosperity. Back in 1993, the Lifer pastor's teenage son is ready to consummate his love with the girl of his dreams, unsuspecting of the really ugly turn of events waiting for him that same night. In 2023, the dad slowly discovers how the town works: a kind machine of faith and sacrifice grown around the giant oak tree in the cemetery. The two stories start converging when familiar faces crop up in both, and connections are drawn with a heavy hand, purposely hiding significant details to be revealed later, at the right time. When the truth is finally uncovered, it's too late by far for everyone; and a glorious ending follows.
The writing felt a bit too cheerful at times, though the frequent focus on happy children and confident teenage kids somewhat justifies it. There’s an abundance of references to death, of both animals and humans, though the really graphic scenes are reserved for the ending. Very little is shown on the page until then. However, I felt that the pacing was often inconsistent, certain scenes carrying too much dialogue or introspective thinking, others lacking it but still in need of it in order to clear up motivations and abrupt changes in character (especially the pastors'). Sometimes this cknfused me, though In hindsight, perhaps, it's not hard to understand why some confusion persists throughout both timelines: a very large cast is included, almost all of the characters living a double life of sorts! Thankfully, it all makes sense in the end.
I highly recommend the book, first for the moral dilemmas it sets to the main character and the reader, dilemmas which are grounded on plain human desires and familiar psychological tangles about happiness, belonging and emotional security; second, for the subtle handling of the supernatural horror elements, which are handled with great skill, and won't disappoint even the harshest critic; and of course ... for the book's memorable ending! Still thinking about it.
November 17, 2025
The Haven Horror is Hokunani Sorci's debut novel, leaning into some creepy cultish vibes reminiscent of Wayward.
I liked the alternating timelines used to lay out the pieces of the mystery surrounding the town of Haven, TX. There was enough foreshadowing to keep me curious about the odd happenings in the small town. Like, why don't people seem to age? Why is everyone so nice? And, what is in the sweet tea?!?
By the time we hit the middle of the story, the puzzle pieces really start clicking into place. The ending was descriptive and violent and went in a surprising direction that I did not anticipate.
This story is also chalked full of 90s nostalgia. The mentions of Smashing Pumpkins, skateboarding, and Swatch watches took me back decades to my younger years. There is a character with special needs, and I enjoyed seeing this representation, which isn't common.
The main issue I had was with the dialog, and this is more of a me problem.
The story has a very deliberate Texas style dialog, which my Midwest brain had a very difficult time reading. I also found the overuse of ellipses and em dashes quite distracting. I believe they were being used to convey a character's uncertainty or confusion. I think for me, it would've lent to the story better if the characters had spoken in complete sentences, and the writing described the character's state of mind.
Even though this is a creepy, cultish, small-town horror story, it also touches on loss, grief, and sacrifice. Overall, I think this is a very strong debut novel.
Thank you to Hokunani Sorci for the ARC copy!
I liked the alternating timelines used to lay out the pieces of the mystery surrounding the town of Haven, TX. There was enough foreshadowing to keep me curious about the odd happenings in the small town. Like, why don't people seem to age? Why is everyone so nice? And, what is in the sweet tea?!?
By the time we hit the middle of the story, the puzzle pieces really start clicking into place. The ending was descriptive and violent and went in a surprising direction that I did not anticipate.
This story is also chalked full of 90s nostalgia. The mentions of Smashing Pumpkins, skateboarding, and Swatch watches took me back decades to my younger years. There is a character with special needs, and I enjoyed seeing this representation, which isn't common.
The main issue I had was with the dialog, and this is more of a me problem.
The story has a very deliberate Texas style dialog, which my Midwest brain had a very difficult time reading. I also found the overuse of ellipses and em dashes quite distracting. I believe they were being used to convey a character's uncertainty or confusion. I think for me, it would've lent to the story better if the characters had spoken in complete sentences, and the writing described the character's state of mind.
Even though this is a creepy, cultish, small-town horror story, it also touches on loss, grief, and sacrifice. Overall, I think this is a very strong debut novel.
Thank you to Hokunani Sorci for the ARC copy!
November 2, 2025
I have to admit that my ratings are kind of harsh. For me to give a 5-star rating, the read has to sweep me off my feet, and although this read did not sweep me off my feet, I did really enjoy it, and I would recommend it.
It is a very slow build; you get the good action, the good stuff, towards the end. The end is what I really liked. I also liked how you get the different characters' points of view and their stories. You can then see how the characters connect with each other. I liked all the elements, like the mystery, the supernatural, the thriller, and the unknown. I loved the pop culture references. I did find some typos here and there, but nothing that would interfere with my reading and how I felt about it. Overall, it was a good read.
It is a very slow build; you get the good action, the good stuff, towards the end. The end is what I really liked. I also liked how you get the different characters' points of view and their stories. You can then see how the characters connect with each other. I liked all the elements, like the mystery, the supernatural, the thriller, and the unknown. I loved the pop culture references. I did find some typos here and there, but nothing that would interfere with my reading and how I felt about it. Overall, it was a good read.
November 24, 2025
The Haven Horror by Hokunani Sorci
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
A dark and deep supernatural horror story!! Lots of secrets, mystery and cultish religion in the small town of Haven!
The story begins with dual timelines as it sets up and then is brought together.
It was very exciting to see all of the puzzle pieces come together in this story. There’s lots of chills and thrills throughout and the ending is fantastic!!
The town of Haven is not what it seems!!
This is the authors debut novel and she comes out with a force!! The story is very well written and there’s strong character development!
I was lucky to get an arc of this entertaining and exciting story!!
**Check it out on December 1st!!**
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
A dark and deep supernatural horror story!! Lots of secrets, mystery and cultish religion in the small town of Haven!
The story begins with dual timelines as it sets up and then is brought together.
It was very exciting to see all of the puzzle pieces come together in this story. There’s lots of chills and thrills throughout and the ending is fantastic!!
The town of Haven is not what it seems!!
This is the authors debut novel and she comes out with a force!! The story is very well written and there’s strong character development!
I was lucky to get an arc of this entertaining and exciting story!!
**Check it out on December 1st!!**
November 27, 2025
The Haven Horror is a religious-themed cult story with a slight cosmic twist, told through two parallel storylines (one in 1993 and the other in 2023) that slowly guide you toward a truly blood-soaked ending.
This book is packed with characters, maybe even too many, but it really helps to fill out the town of Haven and gives you an idea of what it's like there. Since both storylines take place in Haven, you truly feel like you've spent your life there. I felt terrible for the characters that had no idea what was unraveling in their small town, yet found themselves sucked into the chaos.
I really enjoyed this story and its world-building! I can't say I'd want to live in Haven after this experience, but I definitely know what it's to live there. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone that's looking for a good cult horror and doesn't mind a little bloodshed along the way.
Thanks to the author for an ARC to read and review!
This book is packed with characters, maybe even too many, but it really helps to fill out the town of Haven and gives you an idea of what it's like there. Since both storylines take place in Haven, you truly feel like you've spent your life there. I felt terrible for the characters that had no idea what was unraveling in their small town, yet found themselves sucked into the chaos.
I really enjoyed this story and its world-building! I can't say I'd want to live in Haven after this experience, but I definitely know what it's to live there. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone that's looking for a good cult horror and doesn't mind a little bloodshed along the way.
Thanks to the author for an ARC to read and review!
November 30, 2025
Having grown up in a small town, I always love me some small-town horror, and Haven is exactly the type of small town I enjoy reading about. Once I got into Haven and the unfolding mystery, I had to keep going to see what was going on. The more time I spent there, the more I wanted to dip back in.
I enjoyed the humor throughout, and it felt perfectly sprinkled in, didn’t detract from the horror—and once the horror starts, it really doesn't let up. Great read for those chilly winter nights. The homey vibes of Haven will warm one up; the horror lurking beneath will replace that warmth with a nice chill down the spine.
I enjoyed the humor throughout, and it felt perfectly sprinkled in, didn’t detract from the horror—and once the horror starts, it really doesn't let up. Great read for those chilly winter nights. The homey vibes of Haven will warm one up; the horror lurking beneath will replace that warmth with a nice chill down the spine.
November 2, 2025
The Haven Horror really surprised me. It started off with a surface-level normality that I thought was a great juxtaposition for when the strangeness started to spread. The writing was clean and the dread felt real without ever being over the top. By the time it all came together, the horror felt huge and unknowable and I really enjoyed that as a fan of cosmic horror. A slow, eerie burn that is going to stick with me. Five stars.
November 30, 2025
The Haven Horror is a religious cult/folk horror debut novel by Hokunani Sorci, set in northern Texas.
I felt deeply immersed in the lives of all the characters in Haven. There are a ton of them, and each is written with a complete life of its own, full of drama and moral dilemmas. I liked how there are two different timelines, and both come together in a skilled way that drives them to a spectacular ending. I highly recommend this book!
I felt deeply immersed in the lives of all the characters in Haven. There are a ton of them, and each is written with a complete life of its own, full of drama and moral dilemmas. I liked how there are two different timelines, and both come together in a skilled way that drives them to a spectacular ending. I highly recommend this book!
October 19, 2025
This is a well-written horror novel that seamlessly slips across timelines while spinning a tale of horror that plays out over decades. Great character development in this creepy story of a small Texas town caught in the clutches of a cult gone off the rails.
My first read by this author but I definitely enjoyed it and will read others. I recommend this book, especially to those readers into small town horror with sketchy religious themes.
My first read by this author but I definitely enjoyed it and will read others. I recommend this book, especially to those readers into small town horror with sketchy religious themes.
December 3, 2025
This story is absolutely terrifying on so many levels. There is nothing creepier than an obsessed religious fanatic, and there are actually a lot of them in this novel. The Haven Horror by Hokunani Sorci is a twisted tale of religious fanaticism, a community turned into a cult and brainwashing ideology.
I was pulled into this story from the very beginning. I loved how there were different stories and different POVs in this book. Readers are introduced to the very roots (literally) of where the terror begins in Haven, a small town located in Texas. From there we see how this poison spreads. And, of course, the people believe it is the work of God instead of something much more evil and sinister. Something that tricks them into thinking they are talking to their lost loved ones in their heads. Something that gets them to spread its poison everywhere and to everyone.
Something that even makes them kill others, calling it a “sacrifice” and fooling them into thinking the victims will be happier being with the Lord.
The danger of religion is that it is so easy for people, “false prophets,” as well as evil beings to manipulate and twist around in order to fool people into believing that by following them and obeying them, they are doing the work of the Lord. But instead of Kool-Aid, the followers of this religion, the Tree of Life Ministry (called Lifers), all drink some kind of amber sap that comes from the tree that is said to be where a person heard God speak to them. This particular tree is not just any old tree, and everyone in Haven knows it. Everyone in Haven recognizes it as a very special, blessed tree.
That’s exactly what happens here, and the religious fervor has taken Haven into a tight grip.
Jerry Johnson and his wife, Molly, move to Haven after they’ve lost everything, taking up refuge in Jerry’s parents’ house. Jerry and Molly have a special needs daughter named Glory, and they hope they can help their child get the care and assistance she needs in order to flourish. Meanwhile, Jerry’s parents are Lifers, so of course they push their religion onto him, hoping he will join their flock.
Meanwhile, a young girl is missing, and the sheriff, an alcoholic widower, is hot on the case, struggling to determine how she could have disappeared without a trace. The girl’s brothers are also trying to find her, using their own type of vigilant justice against someone they suspect of killing her.
These two stories intertwine in this book, and readers are taken through the strange world of religious fanaticism as both of these stories play out. Uncovering the shocking truth of what happens held my interest and kept me reading until the very end. The horrifying climax had me on the edge of my seat as the mystery behind the tree and what hides within it is revealed.
The Haven Horror is a shocking and gripping horror novel of religious fanaticism gone terribly wrong. Beware the wolf in sheep’s clothing, for even the devil can quote the Bible and convince God’s followers that he is one of them.
I was pulled into this story from the very beginning. I loved how there were different stories and different POVs in this book. Readers are introduced to the very roots (literally) of where the terror begins in Haven, a small town located in Texas. From there we see how this poison spreads. And, of course, the people believe it is the work of God instead of something much more evil and sinister. Something that tricks them into thinking they are talking to their lost loved ones in their heads. Something that gets them to spread its poison everywhere and to everyone.
Something that even makes them kill others, calling it a “sacrifice” and fooling them into thinking the victims will be happier being with the Lord.
The danger of religion is that it is so easy for people, “false prophets,” as well as evil beings to manipulate and twist around in order to fool people into believing that by following them and obeying them, they are doing the work of the Lord. But instead of Kool-Aid, the followers of this religion, the Tree of Life Ministry (called Lifers), all drink some kind of amber sap that comes from the tree that is said to be where a person heard God speak to them. This particular tree is not just any old tree, and everyone in Haven knows it. Everyone in Haven recognizes it as a very special, blessed tree.
That’s exactly what happens here, and the religious fervor has taken Haven into a tight grip.
Jerry Johnson and his wife, Molly, move to Haven after they’ve lost everything, taking up refuge in Jerry’s parents’ house. Jerry and Molly have a special needs daughter named Glory, and they hope they can help their child get the care and assistance she needs in order to flourish. Meanwhile, Jerry’s parents are Lifers, so of course they push their religion onto him, hoping he will join their flock.
Meanwhile, a young girl is missing, and the sheriff, an alcoholic widower, is hot on the case, struggling to determine how she could have disappeared without a trace. The girl’s brothers are also trying to find her, using their own type of vigilant justice against someone they suspect of killing her.
These two stories intertwine in this book, and readers are taken through the strange world of religious fanaticism as both of these stories play out. Uncovering the shocking truth of what happens held my interest and kept me reading until the very end. The horrifying climax had me on the edge of my seat as the mystery behind the tree and what hides within it is revealed.
The Haven Horror is a shocking and gripping horror novel of religious fanaticism gone terribly wrong. Beware the wolf in sheep’s clothing, for even the devil can quote the Bible and convince God’s followers that he is one of them.
October 23, 2025
The ‘Haven Horror’ by Hokunani Sorci benefits from a creepy slow build, presented through an interweaved timeline spanning thirty years, but culminating in a frantic page turning crescendo.
From the engaging and intriguing prologue, that introduces us to the mysterious giant oak tree whose soil is bathed in blood and filled with decaying bodies, to the growth of the cultish Tree of Life Ministry, I found the characters and the story fascinating and very well written.
Sorci blends in the lives of the families of Haven seamlessly and never resorts to unnecessary exposition or heavy-handed reiteration of significance or themes, rather allowing the reader to slowly unravel the mysteries, both on a micro and macro level.
However, it is not perfect. I sometimes found the contracted Texan speech patterns difficult to understand, especially when it flowed in a sentence, and I had to take a second to try and interpret or dare I say translate it. The effect of this is that it pulled me out of the story, weakening the impact. This might not be an issue however if you are American and used to it (I’m English), and therefore the criticism is subjective, and I wouldn’t mark the book down for it.
I also felt a couple of transitions were a little clunky, but in the grand scheme of things made up such a low percentage of the book, it didn’t affect my enjoyment or score. Sure it made me work harder to ensure I understood who someone was or what and when something was happening, but again other readers might not have that issue.
This is one of the best horror books I've read in years thanks to how the author grows the sense of unease that really opens up the possibilities and keeps you reading, before finally giving you an ending that rewards the reader. I won't say much about it as I don't want to influence or spoil anything but do check out this book.
From the engaging and intriguing prologue, that introduces us to the mysterious giant oak tree whose soil is bathed in blood and filled with decaying bodies, to the growth of the cultish Tree of Life Ministry, I found the characters and the story fascinating and very well written.
Sorci blends in the lives of the families of Haven seamlessly and never resorts to unnecessary exposition or heavy-handed reiteration of significance or themes, rather allowing the reader to slowly unravel the mysteries, both on a micro and macro level.
However, it is not perfect. I sometimes found the contracted Texan speech patterns difficult to understand, especially when it flowed in a sentence, and I had to take a second to try and interpret or dare I say translate it. The effect of this is that it pulled me out of the story, weakening the impact. This might not be an issue however if you are American and used to it (I’m English), and therefore the criticism is subjective, and I wouldn’t mark the book down for it.
I also felt a couple of transitions were a little clunky, but in the grand scheme of things made up such a low percentage of the book, it didn’t affect my enjoyment or score. Sure it made me work harder to ensure I understood who someone was or what and when something was happening, but again other readers might not have that issue.
This is one of the best horror books I've read in years thanks to how the author grows the sense of unease that really opens up the possibilities and keeps you reading, before finally giving you an ending that rewards the reader. I won't say much about it as I don't want to influence or spoil anything but do check out this book.
December 11, 2025
What an incredible debut novel by Sorci and the timing couldn’t have been better. My upcoming podcast series, The Slumber Party Massacre Luncheon, with two of my best friends from college just happened to be discussing religious horror this week, and The Haven Horror fits perfectly into that conversation. At its core, it’s religious horror, layered with elements of cosmic horror that neatly tie everything together.
The novel presents a unique premise: a town divided among religious denominations, the Lifers, your standard Christians, and non-believers. The story unfolds across two timelines. In 1993, a teenager goes missing after last being seen with the Lifer preacher’s son. The town becomes divided over the strange circumstances surrounding the disappearance and the unsettling nature of the Lifer church. All of this comes to a head in the modern timeline, when a family moves to Haven and quickly realizes the town, and its people, are oddly generous. I don’t want to say much more beyond that, but the final 50 pages are epically horrific!
This was a quick, gripping read at just around 300 pages. I never once felt bored and ended up flying through it because I needed to uncover the town’s secrets. Highly recommend this one. Go support an up-and-coming new voice in the horror genre and snag a copy. You won’t regret it!
The novel presents a unique premise: a town divided among religious denominations, the Lifers, your standard Christians, and non-believers. The story unfolds across two timelines. In 1993, a teenager goes missing after last being seen with the Lifer preacher’s son. The town becomes divided over the strange circumstances surrounding the disappearance and the unsettling nature of the Lifer church. All of this comes to a head in the modern timeline, when a family moves to Haven and quickly realizes the town, and its people, are oddly generous. I don’t want to say much more beyond that, but the final 50 pages are epically horrific!
This was a quick, gripping read at just around 300 pages. I never once felt bored and ended up flying through it because I needed to uncover the town’s secrets. Highly recommend this one. Go support an up-and-coming new voice in the horror genre and snag a copy. You won’t regret it!
November 29, 2025
“The setting sun winked between the oak’s verdant branches as a light breeze fluttered dust across the old man’s ankles, teased wisps of gray hair from his head, and rustled the leaves of the Hangin’ Tree. The whispered voice in Boggs’s mind was gentle but clear. He nodded, his lips set in a grim line. I do as the Elders bid. I do the Lord’s work.”
I quite enjoyed this sprawling Texas tale, with its creeping chills doled out in two different timelines, 1993, and 2003 (with a prologue set in 1893). Haven is a religious town with many buried secrets, most revolving around the great oak tree in the cemetery.
We get grief, and sacrifice, mixed in with some 90s pop culture references, and my only minor complaint is I lost track of the characters (there were a few) sometimes. It’s fun, nasty ride, with lyrical and evocative prose, and the ending ties it up nicely. Excited to see what comes next from this author.
I quite enjoyed this sprawling Texas tale, with its creeping chills doled out in two different timelines, 1993, and 2003 (with a prologue set in 1893). Haven is a religious town with many buried secrets, most revolving around the great oak tree in the cemetery.
We get grief, and sacrifice, mixed in with some 90s pop culture references, and my only minor complaint is I lost track of the characters (there were a few) sometimes. It’s fun, nasty ride, with lyrical and evocative prose, and the ending ties it up nicely. Excited to see what comes next from this author.
December 4, 2025
The Haven Horror by Hokunani Sorci has just released.
Firstly, thank you to Hoku for the ARC. This is a novel blending cult and folk horror with strong religious overtones that permeate the story. Set over two two timelines - 1993/2003 - in the town of Haven, Texas (with streets bearing the names of fruit) we are immersed into the lives of its residents and the religious zeal that binds them together.
Fliting back and forth from 93 to 03 the story takes us on a journey that questions the moral dilemmas and personal desires of its main characters and the secrets that the town is hiding until both stories converge in a climatic and gory ending.
Overall, this was a solid story, hindered at times by being a little too dialogue heavy and introspective which had me skimming a little bit. The character arcs, however, are well observed and the ending brilliantly executed! The writing is also top-notch. Definitely a book worth reading!
4/5 stars
Firstly, thank you to Hoku for the ARC. This is a novel blending cult and folk horror with strong religious overtones that permeate the story. Set over two two timelines - 1993/2003 - in the town of Haven, Texas (with streets bearing the names of fruit) we are immersed into the lives of its residents and the religious zeal that binds them together.
Fliting back and forth from 93 to 03 the story takes us on a journey that questions the moral dilemmas and personal desires of its main characters and the secrets that the town is hiding until both stories converge in a climatic and gory ending.
Overall, this was a solid story, hindered at times by being a little too dialogue heavy and introspective which had me skimming a little bit. The character arcs, however, are well observed and the ending brilliantly executed! The writing is also top-notch. Definitely a book worth reading!
4/5 stars
November 26, 2025
Experience humanity so that you might better fear the horror. That is the great hook of The Haven Horror. Hokunani Sorci brews a slow burning tale by inviting you into the delicate, human story first. You sit alongside the characters as they eat their dinner, drive with their family, sneak out of the house after dark. When the inevitable horror appears it feels vast and eternal in all the worst and most terrifying ways. Faith and fear are intertwined, forming a truly great horror read that pushes you into the deep end of a world with a great cast of characters. Do not miss this one.
November 24, 2025
It's like a stick of dynamite with a very long fuse.
Sorci excels at portraying how utterly yucky faith can get when it's bastardized to serve someone's selfish needs. Funny and sad and scary at the same time.
The subtext of this book is best summed up by a religious organization that baptizes people with dirt, which, I just find absolutely genius.
This is a gross, sad, slow burn that terminates in a wild double-finale.
If I had a complaint, it would be the overabundance of characters, but, this serves to really flesh out the town so, maybe just take some notes to remember who is who.
Sorci excels at portraying how utterly yucky faith can get when it's bastardized to serve someone's selfish needs. Funny and sad and scary at the same time.
The subtext of this book is best summed up by a religious organization that baptizes people with dirt, which, I just find absolutely genius.
This is a gross, sad, slow burn that terminates in a wild double-finale.
If I had a complaint, it would be the overabundance of characters, but, this serves to really flesh out the town so, maybe just take some notes to remember who is who.
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